48 and Counting

by Jonathan Clements

"Although this is his first novel, Jonathan Clements's long practice writing the personal-finance column for The Wall Street Journal shows in a quickly paced story with a plot that moves right along, with enough detail that every middle-aged cyclist can relate to," writes Richard Masoner, Cyclelicio.us . "It’s a quick, enjoyable read." "An entertaining story," says Ray Niekamp, BikeNoob.com. 48 and Counting is, as the novel's subtitle suggests, A Story of Money, Love and Bicycling. It traces amateur cyclist Max Whitfield through three eventful seasons as his marriage collapses and he loses control of his business. Unemployed and unsure what to do next, he throws himself into training for a 40-mile bicycle race.
Clare saw Max rise out of the seat. He was her 48-year-old father and yet, at that moment, he was somebody else entirely. The muscles in his arms were taut. His face and legs glistened with perspiration. As the bike leapt forward and gathered speed, he sat down, shifted into an easier gear and spun the pedals with a controlled fury. For a few brief seconds, the beauty was unmistakable. Max's bike hurtled past the other two riders. A yawning gap immediately opened up. Max had his chance. He had broken free of the other two, who were now belatedly trying to respond, their suddenly feverish motion signaling how surprised they were. Max was 80 excruciating seconds from the finish line.
Jonathan Clements is the former personal-finance columnist for The Wall Street Journal. He was born in London, England, graduated from Cambridge University and now lives in New York City. This is Clements's fifth book and his first novel.

166 pages, Paperback

First published August 29, 2012

About the author

Jonathan Clements is the author of "How to Think About Money" and editor of HumbleDollar.com. He was born in England, graduated from Cambridge University and now lives just outside New York City. He wrote for Euromoney and Forbes before joining The Wall Street Journal, where he worked for almost 20 years. He also spent six years at Citigroup as Director of Financial Education for the bank's U.S. wealth-management business. Jonathan has written seven books -- a novel and six guides to personal finance. For additional information, go to HumbleDollar.com. You can follow Jonathan on Twitter @ClementsMoney or on Facebook at Jonathan Clements Money Guide.

Reviews

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a light and entertaining book that will likely appeal more to middle aged men than their wives and girlfriends, let alone women who fall outside those categories. While the narrator's cycling transformation is a bit unrealistically accelerated and his poor decision-making epic, reading this thin book on the anomie of middle age is not a bad way to spend a few hours. The draw of the bicycle is powerful indeed.

[Bruce Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nailed it!

Clements' description of American late middle age years captures so many common experiences. Certainly a must-read for any bicyclist, or those looking for insights into the cyclist psyche. His writing is concise and engaging. One of the few novels (novelett in size) that I read in one sitting.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good short read

A great read, especially for a middle aged amateur cyclist. Plenty of twists and turns that made it hard to put down.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A man have a mid-life crisis and discovers her dead father's bike in the garage. He takes it for ride and is hooked by the cycling bug. He gets better and better at cycling as his life at home and work spin out of control. As a cyclist I feel that the author got the experience of picking up cycling in one's forties well. The only flaw that he had the protagonist going way to fast for a 48 year old. People in their twenties ride that fast. The collapse of his marriage and his business are well cushioned by his wealth. His mid-life crisis disrupted his life and may have improved it, but there was no real damage that a less wealthy individual might have experienced.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given this 4 stars, but unfortunately the characters are a bit one dimensional and the story feels a bit too forced. Bring a recovering finance guy and cyclist, I can appreciate the mixing of the life experiences.

The author is correct - the striving and the suffering is why I put in the miles. The races are icing.

[John Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clements wrote an great piece that captures what a middle-age person experiences during the journey along life's winding road. Choices have Consequences,if you are wondering what your next step in life might be. 48 and Counting can easily be read by anyone in a day,less you enjoy cycling.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was loaned to me. While I might not pick it on my own, it was an interesting read, especially since I'm at 48 and counting! It's about being able to make changes in ones life, even at this age!

[Mary Mahaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

passion for living as opposed to existing, quick read.

[Sharon Filadelfia · Rating 2 out of 5]

entertaining. quick read. didn't change my life. if you are a bike rider I think you'll enjoy the story.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2

[Sanjiv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun light read. The protagonist is easy to relate to. The cycling is really an aside from the plot line.

[Loki · Rating 3 out of 5]

midlife crisis explored with bicycle and a girlfriend as his personal professional life hit some big potholes

[Rob Luskey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun easy read but definitely not the most developed characters. I felt the story kind of just ran out of steam.....much like the legs after a hard bike ride.

[P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mid-life crisis and bicycling. This was a fun story of an ordinary guy going through a rough period.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a middle aged man you will enjoy this book. Enlightenment through bicycling!